The Nigerian Port Authority NPA has made it clear to all vessel and cargo operators operating on the water ways of Nigeria that the pilotage dues on vessels is now compulsory, adding that the old ways of doing things at the ports has become a thing of the past.
Clarification of the position of NPA was made known to participants at the one day forum organized by the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA on regulations guiding operations at offshore and exclusive economic zone of Nigeria, which was held in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Samuel K. Eke, chairman of the event gave an analogy of what is happening at the airports of Nigeria, where movement of flights are controlled by those at the tower to what they are doing at the water ways of Nigeria, by positioning their professional personnel to monitor the movement of all vessels, guide them on where to follow or dock for safety reasons and otherwise.
Eke noted that the purpose of the event was to brainstorm with participants on the principles that are laid down by NPA to guide operations in their respective services.
He maintained that some of those that are operating on the shores of Nigeria are not paying their statutory dues to the government, describing it as an act of sabotage on the side of government, making NPA to loosing huge sums of money.
The event chairman however opined that the services of the dock workers are compulsory to the vessel operators, in order to encourage and promote the Nigerian local content. He pointed the importance of operators engaging dock workers, adding that the operators must pay for the services of the dock workers whether they engage them or not.
Mr. Emmanuel stated further that the engagement of the dock workers will help to make them relevant in the society than allow then constitute nuisance to the society while appealing to operators to do their business, make their profits and ensue paying government what is due it.
He enjoined operators to take advantage of the newly introduced advance payment by NPA to reduce the hassle of looking for them for credit payments and urged them to desist from the act of illegal berthing.
Eke draw the attention of operators to that fact that conventional ports are not meant for oil and gas related vessels, but directed them to use the Onne sea port or Warri port.
He disclosed that Nigeria is the least in rate charges in all the West Africa sub-region, even though it has increased its rate to 36%, stressing that it could still not be compared to other countries.
In his contribution, Mr. Lawrence Alabi former Port manager, Port Harcourt Port who represented the Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi noted that they are mindful of the law in whatever they do, stating that the views of the stakeholders will help NPA in decision makings that will help the industry move forward. He promised to serve the people better to make the maritime industry to be where it is expected to be, urging participants to go back to their various companies to brainstorm with them on the issues discussed.
He further expressed gratitude to participants for being able to open up to them, explaining that the aim of the event was to have a proper operation at the Ports and make the activities better.
Alabi further urged participants to always reach out to them on any issue that requires clarifications, admitting that they are committed to improving the quality of services at the ports.
While a representative of the Nigeria Customs Service, Onne commend, Mr. Nnachi E. explained that the TI vessel is used to provide services to cargos and known for its inward and outward movements.
The DC enforcement, Onne commend berated the attitudes of vessel owners in moving oil and gas related cargos to conventional ports instead of using Onne oil and gas zone or the Warri port.
He however, urged vessel operators to always declare their ships they way it is supposed to be in order for Customs to serve them better and warned companies that uses two names for one shipment to desist from such act.
Responding, participants who represented some of their companies at the event, asked questions as it relates to the issues of rate increases advance payment and the inability of the Nigeria ports to handle some vessels among others and urged NPA to improve on their facilities for better operations. ###
Blaise Elumezie
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